Save Basketball City

Some times when places open up you wonder what did we ever do without them? Basketball City would be one of those places.

Basketball City is located next to Chelsea Piers. You can’t miss it from the Westside Highway. That large white round object. Tennis courts do not exist underneath but a building housed with one basketball court after another. There are also locker rooms, a weight room and NYPD’s mounted unit.

The place has been packed since it opened. I can’t guess how many public and private schools in the city use the facility for their practices and games. On the weekends, there are leagues, birthday parties and the works. During the summer, there are camps for both boys and girls.

Last night I received in my email box a letter about saving Basketball City. That the Hudson River Park Trust (their landlord) is planning on ripping down Pier 63 and building a park. I’m all for parks. The westside is transforming daily. But, getting rid of Basketball City without an suitable alternative location is a travesty. The basketball courts that have been provided to the kids in the city has become an integral part of many organizations sports programs. Each program would be a major loss without this fantastic facility.

They are asking for your help. Please call and email the following officials immediately to express your support for Basketball City and your outrage that these kids will no longer have a place to play. Please contact the officials listed below ASAP (and cc to [email protected]).

Call 311 and say that you want to complaint filed directly to the Mayor, or send and email http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html